Lovely Lady

He told Get Surrey : "During my summer break from university, I was working full time at the shopping centre which Jan regularly hands out The War Cry magazine whilst raising money for the Salvation Army.

"I decided to set up a funding page after hearing her story and letting her know that crowdfunding could help in raising money for a new mobility scooter.

"I really wanted to help her as she is such a lovely lady."

Jan Asker is a familiar face around Farnborough town centre (Image: Isabel Dobinson)

"We had to help"

After seeing Martin's Facebook post, the team at Limbcare, a local charity which offers support to amputees and those who struggle with mobility, decided to step in.

Len Amos, 59, communications and recycling director said: "It's the fact that we see Jan around and we know her, she comes into the shop.

"When I saw the post on Facebook and saw the situation she was in after the attack, as a charity we had to help.

"We don't do this for anybody but in this particular case, we had to help."

"We don't do this for anybody but in this particular case, we had to help," said Len Amos (Image: Isabel Dobinson)

Limbcare has offered Jan a free mobility scooter to loan until she has the funds to buy a new scooter - which will also be sold by the charity at more than quarter of the original price.

"I feel vulnerable"

Jan praised the work of local police officers who gave her advice and a panic button which makes her feel "better" when out and about.

She said a security guard at the local Asda store reported the attack to the police after Jan "wasn't her usual bubbly self".

She said: "I told the police they should spend time catching shoplifters and other criminals but the policewoman said 'we have time for you Jan and if you break down please call 101 and we will help'.

"A policeman also gave me a leaflet about what to do and he gave me a panic alarm.

"It has made me feel better but I feel vulnerable."

"Every time I see cyclists I panic," said Jan (Image: Isabel Dobinson)

"Every time I see cyclists I panic, I see them coming towards me and I avoid them," she said.

He added that the four boys are "described as being aged between 12 to 14 years old" and added that one proceeded to "damaged the wing mirror, headrest, indicator and front of mobility scooter using what was described as a kitchen knife."